The Waterfall Edge.

Uniqueness and personality are found in the details. Often, all you need is one or two unusual features to make a bold, one-of-a-kind statement. Because the kitchen is the heart of the home and a gathering place, an eye-popping detail in your kitchen can set the tone for the rest of your home. This goal can be accomplished by incorporating a waterfall edge.

What it really is.

A waterfall edge is a relatively recent trend in kitchen countertops, but one that does not appear to be fading in popularity anytime soon. In fact, this trend has the potential to become a mainstay in kitchen designs. It is easy to see why!

The waterfall edge is made by continuing the countertop material vertically down the side of the kitchen island or the side of cabinets. In a sense, the countertop material cascades over the edge of the counter to the floor. The overall effect is a clean, continuous line of gorgeous material. First found in high-end, contemporary kitchen designs, the waterfall edge has proven to be a cross-over hit. It brings outdated kitchen islands into the modern era, making it a useful transitional feature for any style home.

Photo courtesy of Joe Chapman.

The why and how.

The waterfall edge will increase the cost of your countertops but is worth it for a variety of reasons. First, it offers a stunning and sophisticated statement piece to your kitchen. Second, it provides a tangible way to link the countertop design with the cabinets and flooring material for a more cohesive and sleek look. This countertop style is used for other reasons, too. It can conceal an appliance, such as a dishwasher, or it can help hide the tall stools at the island’s eating nook.

Any type of countertop material can be fashioned into a waterfall edge. It is most commonly used with natural stone countertop materials, such as quartz and granite, but other materials, including butcher-block, concrete, and travertine, have jumped on the waterfall bandwagon. They have proven that they too, can be used to spice up the appearance of a kitchen.

Set up for success.

When designing your kitchen, have a dialog with your contractor to discuss the pros and cons of including a waterfall edge. To achieve the continuous waterfall look, the vertical drop of the countertop material should not have any visible seams or breaks. It is important that your contractor or stone fabricator be familiar and experienced with installing waterfall edges. If you are remodeling an existing kitchen, a waterfall edge is one feature that can be added to give any space a fresh, exciting, and contemporary feel. The waterfall edge is a kitchen trend that has staying power.

Joe Chapman is an experienced designer at Sims-Lohman, familiar with the technicalities of the waterfall edge. For more information, contact Joe directly at (937) 603-0175.